A new two-week course is underway in the Shoalhaven region to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to build essential skills and open up career opportunities in the water operations sector.
The Aboriginal Pathways: Fresh Start into Water Operations short course is designed to provide an entry point into the water industry, with an introduction into roles, water sampling and testing, and workplace health and safety.
Delivered through a partnership between the Water Group in the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, Aboriginal Affairs NSW and the NSW Water Directorate, the initiative aims to strengthen workforce participation and create new opportunities across regional NSW.
“Programs like this open real doors for Aboriginal people to build skills and step confidently into long-term careers in the water industry,” said Minister for Water, Rose Jackson.
“It’s a practical example of how we can partner with communities and local providers to grow a strong, skilled workforce that supports essential services across regional NSW.”
Fusion Training Solutions is running the pilot with Shoalhaven Water in Nowra and is intended to become a model that can be replicated across regional NSW to meet local workforce needs and support Aboriginal communities.
Following completion of the pilot, Shoalhaven Water plans to support more than 10 full-time traineeships in 2026, providing opportunities for participants to continue their career journey.
“We’re proud to be supporting our local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community by providing a supportive and culturally safe environment for learning,” said Acting Director Shoalhaven Water, Brenden Logue.
“Participants are gaining hands on experience in water operations, from sampling and testing to workplace health and safety, giving them a strong foundation to step into the industry,” he said.
“This pilot is about opening doors, building confidence, connections and workplace readiness.”
Training participants will also have the opportunity to register with Yilabara Solutions and Waminda for local support in employment, health and wellbeing. The short course is being co-funded by the NSW Department of Education (Training Services) and the NSW Office of Local Government through its Fresh Start program.
“This program demonstrates how the NSW Government is working differently to take a whole-of-government approach in partnership with Aboriginal communities to create sustainable employment and career opportunities,” said Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Treaty, David Harris.
“It’s about building a model of partnership that can be applied across NSW. When we get this right, we create pathways into employment that are led by Aboriginal communities and built to last.”
